Chapter 3: To live or to die
The newly arrived princeâI meanâthe freshly covered prince is looking at me with hatred in his eyes.
Uh oh. He is fuming. If only I can run away from the hall then I should've done it a while ago but no. The guards are there.
If there's one thing that is running on my mind right now is that: Oh God please save me from the wrath of the royal family. So help me God.
"Mattheo!" The prince called someone. Oh god please do not let it be the executioner.
In a matter of seconds, someone attended to his aid. It is the same soldier who helped me find the kitchen not long ago. The prince whispered something to him while Mattheo continues to nod.
I tried to lip read what he's saying but my mind keeps on thinking that he's saying: 'off with his head' or 'let the birds feed on his flesh', but I know that we're living in a modern world where barbaric activities are long gone. I hope so.
Mattheo faced me and there I face the floor again and pretended that I am deadâno erase thatâI am already dead!
"Stand up." He commanded, but I didn't budge. My legs are now weak anyway. "Get your ass out this instance or I'm going to drag you out myself." His threat is so enunciated with authority that I can't help myself but to stand in bullet time.
"I'm standing. I'm standing. I'm not dead, hooray!" I announced while raising my hands in surrender but no one seems to get my humor
Mattheo grabbed my collar and dragged me out of the room and as the room closes, it seems like all eyes in the room are on me. Well now I know the secret on how to catch everyone's attention.
"A-are you gonna kill me?" I asked stuttering.
"No." He answered simply.
"Oh. That's a relief. I thoughtâ"
"But prince will."
"Wait what?" Are they really going to kill me? Mattheo is dragging me down into the castle until there was no light to illuminate the chamber.
Torture chamber I guess.
I swallowed really hard that it echoed inside the room. Mattheo brought out some keys and opened a very creepy looking door. He shoved me inside and closed the door once more.
"Wait!"Â I called to him while I hold the bars from the door's window.
"What?" He snapped.
"Nice meeting you Mattheo."
"If that's all you're going to say thenâ"
"Can you please help me again this time?" I asked, trying to look wretched. God! I'd probably look like I swallowed a whole potato. I am terrible at acting. He did not react and left, closing the door behind him.
The whole room is very dark. I can't see anything anymore except darkness. The room is stone cold. Get it? Get it? Because the chamber is actually made from stones. I should be stoned to death for trying so hard.
Maybe darkness is not a bad thing after all, it saves me from the horrors that I might see if ever there was light. I sat on the corner doing nothing because I fear that I might bump into a rack full of axes and other sharp things which will be the cause of my own death. Heck there might be a dead body lying around here.
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I was awakened by the creaking sound of the door. I covered my eyes when the light coming from the door almost blinded me. The question swirls in my mind; how long have I been here?
When I finally adjusted to the light, I opened my eyes and saw a pair of boots. I shifted my gaze upwards and saw a silhouette of man standing with his arms crossed.
"So it's you." He said coldly and I can only see the hatred in his eyes. Is he the undertaker?
I whimpered when he harshly grabs the collar of my shirt and dragged me. When we exited the prison cell, I can finally see his face. It was the prince all along.
"Your highness, I am heartily very sorry about what happenedâ"
"Cut it." He interrupted. Seems like forgiveness might not be the best thing to offer someone who despises you so much.
"Walk." He demanded and I followed his command without saying another word.
It is until we got out that I realize that it was already night.
"You can't hurt me, I know my rights." I said.
"That's where you're wrong, as long as you're here, I am the law." He continued to drag me until he stopped when we reached the bank of the Xerex River.
Will he drown me? I sure hope from God no.
He let go of me and he grabbed something out of his pocket.
It's a ring.
"This ring is made out of precious stones. I'm sure a working class like you can't even afford to buy one." I don't know why he was telling me all of this but I can feel that this is not a good thing.
"This ring will cost you your life and so..." He reaches out his hand and let go of the ring making it fall to the river. "If you will not recover the ring, you know what happens next." he paused to add more dramatic effect but I already know what he's going to day.
"You'll die."
I gulped and there is silence. He stared at me, a grin plastered on his face. There's no denying that he has an attractive face but now is not the right time to appreciate the face of a monster.
"You can't do it?" His question was full of assurance like I can't do it. That's where he's wrong. I am a good swimmer nonetheless. Ever since I was a child, swimming is my hobby because we were near the river from our old home.
"I'll do it." Shock was evident from his face but it soon returned to his arrogant face.
"Okay, I'll wait." he said.
I immediately dived and made my way to the bottom of the river. I said that I am a good swimmer but the darkness of the night never helps and the coldness of the water made me feel like I'm in the underworld.
I used my hands to locate for the damn ring but all I can feel is mud and some slimy stones. Two minutes have passed and I can feel that I'm running out of breath. I immediately rose from the water to get some oxygen when the prince spoke.
"Give up yet?" he egged.
I glared at him before continuing my search. I am already shivering inside because the water is too cold since it is the early days of winter and the temperature started to drop.
For the second time, I gasped for some air but without a ring on my hand. This is ridiculous, it's almost impossible to find the ring!
"I don't have time for this nonsense. If you rise again for the third time without my ring, get ready to face the consequences." he threatened. "So I suggest you to inhale a lot of air because this might be the last time that you'll breathe." Then he smiledânoâhe was grinning so evilly that he reminds me of the demon gargoyles sitting from the walls of the cathedral.
I inhaled air like there's no tomorrow before diving into the water and I swear to God that I'll find that damned ring of his and shove it down to his ass.
One minutes has passed and no ring was in sight.
Two minutes.
Three and I'm running out of oxygen, soon desperation started to crawl in my mind thinking about my own death. My lungs started to burn but still I continued my search. This is nothing, I thought to myself, I endured a five minutes no breathing when I once hid from the terrorists back in Sardona.
My vision started to blur and I can't think straight anymore. The ring. I need to find the fucking ring! Then somewhere in my hands I felt something. It's a small circular object. Without even thinking whether or not this is the ring, I grabbed it and rose immediately from the water.
First thing that I did was to inhale as much air I can.
"Oh there you are. I thought you already drowned but just making sure you're not faking it." He knelt in front of me still in his vainglorious grin.
"So do you have it?" He asked.
I opened my fist and handed him the ring. It would've been better if I had thrown it at his face but I didn't. I didn't have the energy to do it.
"Oh... How sad. I was expecting a different result." He was being brutally sarcastic that I literally want to spit on his face. He stood up and started to walk away while humming a happy song. I was left lying on the ground still catching my breath.
That damn prince.
I was still lying on the ground shivering while looking at the dark sky when a pair of boots stood beside me.
It was Mattheo. He offered his hand which I accepted and helped me stand on the up. He was still in his serious mode.
"Thanks." I said. He nodded and then when he saw me shivering from the cold, he offered me his coat which I gratefully accepted without even hesitating.
Today has been a dramatic day and it's still my first day working here. How much more will it take for me for the next days?
"Uhmm. Where do I sleep?" I asked Mattheo. He's the only person who has been nice to me since my arrival.
"Follow me." He ordered and I follow him until we arrived in front of a room.
"Is it here?" I questioned.
"No, but we'll ask where. You're the new sorb right?" I nodded. "Okay. Stay here."
He went inside the room and I was left there, still shivering. My attention was captured by the portrait of the Royal Family not far from the door where Mattheo entered.
There were three portraits but I only focused my eyes on the portrait of the prince. There is indeed darkness in his dead eyes. He is seated on his royal throne with the posture of power and authority. I officially detest him. My eyes landed on the golden nameplate below the painting.
PRINCE GREGORY IV
So that's the name of prince douchebag.